Sleigh ride to see holiday lights at Fort Wilderness

[wheredreamsbegin]

In November, my family will be visiting WDW for the first time during the holiday season. One of the things that I would like to do is take a sleigh ride around Fort Wilderness Campground to see all of the holiday lights. I was planning to do this Thanksgiving night. Then it occurred to me that the campground might not yet be decorated. Can anyone tell me when the folks at Fort Wilderness begin decorating for the holidays? Will it be possible for us to see these lights during our Thanksgiving week trip?

 

[Robo]

In November, my family will be visiting WDW for the first time during the holiday season. One of the things that I would like to do is take a sleigh ride around Fort Wilderness Campground to see all of the holiday lights. I was planning to do this Thanksgiving night. Then it occurred to me that the campground might not yet be decorated. Can anyone tell me when the folks at Fort Wilderness begin decorating for the holidays? Will it be possible for us to see these lights during our Thanksgiving week trip?

It varies with each family staying at Ft. Wilderness.

The closer to Christmas, the more, by far, will be decorated.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't know the OP's answer, but am considering doing this in December. Can anyone tell me when reservations open up for this and how much it costs?

 

[Robo]

I don't know the OP's answer, but am considering doing this in December. Can anyone tell me when reservations open up for this and how much it costs?

We always just take the (non-reservation) horse-drawn Wagon Ride that loads up in front of Pioneer Hall every night.

Very low price, and a lot of fun.

http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/carriage.htm

Wagon Rides at 
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Take an old-fashioned, horse-drawn wagon ride which offers a 45-minute scenic tour around Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Wagon Rides depart at 7:00pm and 9:30pm nightly from the front of Pioneer Hall.
Fireworks Wagon Rides at 8:30pm for the 9:00pm fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. (offers audio track for show - subject to fireworks being held at the Magic Kingdom.)
Price: $8.00 Adult; $5.00 Child (ages 3-9) Children under 3 are complimentary. Children ages 3-9 must be accompanied by an adult.
Reservations: Not accepted; Wagon Rides are on a first-come, first-served basis only.

This also is often another way to see the Electrical Water Pageant on Bay Lake.

We do this every time we go to the 7:15 Hoop:

It's just like a horse-drawn "hay-ride" (no actual HAY is used, but a wooden wagon with benches all around, drawn by two horses) that departs from in front of Pioneer Hall (the Hoop's theater) at about 9:30. The driver heads the horses down to a secluded section of beach and stops so the riders can view the EWP in private. It's really kind of special.

 

[mom2rtk]

We always just take the (non-reservation) horse-drawn Wagon Ride that loads up in front of Pioneer Hall every night.

Very low price, and a lot of fun.

http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/carriage.htm




This also is often another way to see the Electrical Water Pageant on Bay Lake.

We do this every time we go to the 7:15 Hoop:

It's just like a horse-drawn "hay-ride" (no actual HAY is used, but a wooden wagon with benches all around, drawn by two horses) that departs from in front of Pioneer Hall (the Hoop's theater) at about 9:30. The driver heads the horses down to a secluded section of beach and stops so the riders can view the EWP in private. It's really kind of special.

Sounds perfect! I'm printing this now to put in my trip book. Thanks!

We're probably not doing Hoop, but might eat at WCC.

 

[emmakatbaby]

In 2011, we went to Disney for Thanksgiving and we took the "sleigh" ride on Thanksgiving night. We thoroughly enjoyed this ride!! There were tons of lights/decorations to see and they were simply amazing!!

In 2012, we went to Disney for Christmas and took the horse drawn wagon ride on Christmas Eve that is mentioned. It was just as much fun and we saw just as many lights and decorations as when we were there for Thanksgiving.

If your travel party is small, then I would do the sleigh ride again in a heartbeat!! It was totally worth the money just for the kids to ride on the "sleigh"! The only reason we did not do the sleigh ride again at Christmas is because we had 12 people in our party and we all wanted to ride together.

I hope you have a magical vacation!

 

[Robo]

Sounds perfect! I'm printing this now to put in my trip book. Thanks!

We're probably not doing Hoop, but might eat at WCC.

Just for clarity, I want to point out that WCC is at the Wilderness Lodge,
and some of the horse-drawn excursions in this discussion are over at Ft. Wilderness.

Not a big deal, but sometimes some guests get confused as to exact locations.

 

[mom2rtk]

Just for clarity, I want to point out that WCC is at the Wilderness Lodge,
and some of the horse-drawn excursions in this discussion are over at Ft. Wilderness.

Not a big deal, but sometimes some guests get confused as to exact locations.

I appreciate that. I did have a sense they were not the same and would need to investigate. But I have never been over in that general area at all and would like to conquer 2 new things on the same night.

 

[Robo]

I appreciate that. I did have a sense they were not the same and would need to investigate. But I have never been over in that general area at all and would like to conquer 2 new things on the same night.

Here is an overview showing both resorts' locations.
There is shuttle boat service between the locations.

 

[momto2inKC]

I don't know the OP's answer, but am considering doing this in December. Can anyone tell me when reservations open up for this and how much it costs?

We did the sleigh ride last December. If I remember correctly the reservations did not open up until a few months before. It's $60 and must be paid in advance when you book it. It's one of my favorite things we've ever done at Disney.

 

[mom2rtk]

Here is an overview showing both resorts' locations.
There is shuttle boat service between the locations.

Thanks Robo. That helps put it in perspective. I've been looking for a few new things to do this trip and this really seems to be a great possiility!

We did the sleigh ride last December. If I remember correctly the reservations did not open up until a few months before. It's $60 and must be paid in advance when you book it. It's one of my favorite things we've ever done at Disney.

Hey neighbor! I'm from KC too. I appreciate the recommendation!

 

[momto2inKC]

Thanks Robo. That helps put it in perspective. I've been looking for a few new things to do this trip and this really seems to be a great possiility!



Hey neighbor! I'm from KC too. I appreciate the recommendation!

Hey Nice to see another KC person on here, there are quite a few of us!

 

[Robo]

Hey Nice to see another KC person on here, there are quite a few of us!

Well, don't leave me out of the KC reunion!

I've lived in the KC area all my life.

 

[mom2rtk]

DISmeet on the Plaza Friday night. Person with the most posts is buying. Wonder who that would be.......

 

[tinkerbellybutton]

I appreciate that. I did have a sense they were not the same and would need to investigate. But I have never been over in that general area at all and would like to conquer 2 new things on the same night.

You shouldn't have any problems doing this. We did the haunted carriage ride for Halloween, followed by dinner at WCC, and it was very easy to do both. We even had issues with our carriage ride. Our driver was having problems with the recorder playing the story of sleepy hallow. She ended up having her manager bring over a replacement. I was worried about being late for our WCC dinner. They took our name down and called WCC and told them to seat us no matter how late we arrived. When we got to WCC, not late at all, the hostess knew who we were as soon as I gave her my name. She was like "hey, you aren't late at all". I would book the ride at least 2 hours prior to your WCC ADR, just so that you don't feel rushed.

Last December we did the sleigh ride followed by dinner at Ohana. I scheduled them to be 2 hours apart and we had no issues getting to Ohana on time. We had our own car and drove, but getting to the Poly, or WL, is not hard at all. If going to WL you can take the boat over. There may be a bus route that I'm unaware of. I seem to recall something about a bus route at one time, but not sure if it still (or ever did ) exists. If going to one of the monorail resorts you can take the boat to CR and then catch the monorail.

We thought both the halloween and holiday carriage rides were well worth the price. If I am remembering correctly both were around $60. I think I booked them around the same time I booked ADRS, so 180 days out, but I'm not 100% sure. These two carriage rides are great memories for my family and we'll likely do them again if in WDW around either holiday.

 

[Robo]

DISmeet on the Plaza Friday night. Person with the most posts is buying. Wonder who that would be.......

Sorry.

Busy this Friday.

And, every Friday.

(Until you catch up to my post count.)

 

[wheredreamsbegin]

In 2011, we went to Disney for Thanksgiving and we took the "sleigh" ride on Thanksgiving night. We thoroughly enjoyed this ride!! There were tons of lights/decorations to see and they were simply amazing!! I hope you have a magical vacation!

Thank you for this input and for your well wishes! This is a surprise trip for the kids and I want it to be as magical and holiday-filled as possible. I'm going to book the sleigh ride.

 

[momto2inKC]

Well, don't leave me out of the KC reunion!

I've lived in the KC area all my life.

I had no idea you were from here Robo

 

[mom2rtk]

You shouldn't have any problems doing this. We did the haunted carriage ride for Halloween, followed by dinner at WCC, and it was very easy to do both. We even had issues with our carriage ride. Our driver was having problems with the recorder playing the story of sleepy hallow. She ended up having her manager bring over a replacement. I was worried about being late for our WCC dinner. They took our name down and called WCC and told them to seat us no matter how late we arrived. When we got to WCC, not late at all, the hostess knew who we were as soon as I gave her my name. She was like "hey, you aren't late at all". I would book the ride at least 2 hours prior to your WCC ADR, just so that you don't feel rushed.

Last December we did the sleigh ride followed by dinner at Ohana. I scheduled them to be 2 hours apart and we had no issues getting to Ohana on time. We had our own car and drove, but getting to the Poly, or WL, is not hard at all. If going to WL you can take the boat over. There may be a bus route that I'm unaware of. I seem to recall something about a bus route at one time, but not sure if it still (or ever did ) exists. If going to one of the monorail resorts you can take the boat to CR and then catch the monorail.

We thought both the halloween and holiday carriage rides were well worth the price. If I am remembering correctly both were around $60. I think I booked them around the same time I booked ADRS, so 180 days out, but I'm not 100% sure. These two carriage rides are great memories for my family and we'll likely do them again if in WDW around either holiday.

Thanks for the first hand account. Glad to know it's doable!

Sorry.

Busy this Friday.

And, every Friday.

(Until you catch up to my post count.)

Hmmm..... better get typing........ and saving.

There's a QuikTrip on Main Street, just north of 47th street I used to visit when I worked down there.

Taquitos and Big Gulps for everyone!

 

[vleeth]

Quite a bit of price difference between the sleigh ride and the wagon ride. What makes it the sleigh ride worth the extra money?